A new mandate in New Mexico requiring school districts to adopt calendars with at least 180 days has been put on hold by a judge while he reviews the change’s legality. Many school districts, superintendents, teacher unions, and lawmakers have been challenging the rule, arguing that it undermines the Legislature’s intentions when it called to extend classroom hours and teacher professional development time. The plaintiffs have also raised concerns about budget shortfalls, especially for districts that have operated on four-day weeks for years.
State officials believe the change will ultimately lead to improved educational outcomes. The governor’s chief general counsel argued that the districts would not be harmed if the state were allowed to implement the mandate while the case is being considered. However, attorneys for the school districts highlighted that 98% of the public comments received regarding the rule were against it. The judge acknowledged the difficult position the state has put districts in by requiring them to submit budgets and schedules for a rule that may not be in effect pending a final ruling.
Consideration of the 180-day rule started last year amidst widespread opposition. The Public Education Department announced the implementation of the rule this year. The department aimed to pull New Mexico up from the bottom of national education rankings by implementing various changes, including the 180-day rule, structured literacy programs, technical education opportunities, and summer programs. The legislation adopted in 2023 called for an increase in the number of hours students must be in school and provided space for teacher professional development within a normal school day.
The courtroom was packed with interested parties as the debate over the 180-day rule continued. School officials, lawmakers, and district attorneys were present, and many more tuned in via livestream. The secretary of Public Education defended the change, stating that flexibility was built into the rule to allow for four-day school weeks if districts could demonstrate improvements in academic performance. However, superintendents like Dennis Roch of Logan testified that complying with the mandate would result in exorbitant costs for the district, making it unworkable.
The judge granted a preliminary injunction to the school districts as he reviews the case. He recognized the varied circumstances of each district and the potential budgetary strains the 180-day rule could impose. The plaintiffs argued that the Legislature would have provided funding or clearer guidance if it intended to expand the number of school days. The state has created a dilemma by requiring budgets and schedules before determining exemption eligibility based on student performance data. The debate over the 180-day rule reflects wider concerns about the impact of educational policies on school districts and the challenges they may face in implementation.
